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znModeratorThanks for this Ag.
What Cosell sez:
Davis is a complement to an offense, he’s not the offense. Some of his limitations are becoming a little more evident. OL has to play well, running game has to be there, for him to do his part. Brings up the INT that should have been the TD to Britt–10, 15 yard underthrow.
ARZ D is very good. Their pressures are trouble. The DC has no fear–he will bring it any time.
Donald … really good. He’s the same guy he was at Pitt. and that tells you he will make it.
ARZ OL is “just good enough,” not REAL good, “just good enough.” If the Rams can take it to that OL, then, that’s the game.
Arians likes big plays, explosive plays. Palmer is aggressive so it’s a fit.
Right now, ARZ is better than Seattle and SF.
He has a phrase. Qbs like Dalton and Hoyer — “he needs team.”
I like that — “he needs team.”
So far he doesn’t think this is a great college qb class.
znModeratorWell it’s not just Davis though.
How about that new OL? Robinson Saffold Wells Joseph Barksdale.
How good will it turn out to be this year?
How about that suddenly somewhat more consistent and a bit less mistake-prone defense? Is it “emerging”?
znModeratorhttp://www.rams-news.com/schottenheimer-we-are-at-our-best-when-balanced-video/ Schottenheimer: “We are at our best when balanced” –Video
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A favorite off the net thing. On one site on guy said that watching this, you could see that Brian had the scared deer in the headlights look when discussing the ARz defense.(?) But. No he doesn’t.
znModeratorfrom the net
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TackleDummy
IMO, there is about a 99% chance that the Rams HC for 2015 will be Jeff Fisher and the same percentage that Les Snead will continue to be the Rams GM. So the talk about potential head coaches is not about the Rams.
Three years ago Stan K. made the decision to rebuild the Rams through the draft. Toward this end Jeff Fisher was hired as HC and Les Snead hired as GM. Building through the the draft is a long process. There is still at least a couple of years to go. As long as Stan K thinks progress is being made he will stay the course.
znModeratorBernie: Big Red thrive under younger Bidwill
Bernie Miklasz
With the Rams traveling to Arizona for Sunday’s game with the Cardinals, it’s an appropriate time to ask this question: Does ownership matter at the NFL level? The answer: absolutely.
Native St. Louisan Michael Bidwill has done an outstanding job of running the Arizona Cardinals since taking over the day-to-day operation of the team in 2007.
The Cardinals took flight after owner Bill Bidwill, now 81, put Michael in charge. The elder Bidwill ran the Cardinals in St. Louis and Arizona between 1972 and 2006, and the team posted only seven winning records in 35 seasons.
If the 7-1 Cardinals finish (as expected) with a winning record this season, it will be their fourth winning season in eight seasons under Michael Bidwill’s leadership. The highlight was the 2008 season, when the Cardinals won the NFC championship and played in the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
After moving from St. Louis to Arizona in 1988, the Cardinals played 144 home games at Sun Devil Stadium through 2005 and sold out only 12 times before opening a new stadium in 2006. And the new venue in Glendale wouldn’t have been built without Michael Bidwill’s effort to get a stadium deal done with local officials.
Sunday’s home game against the Rams will be Arizona’s 90th consecutive sellout, and the Cardinals have gained a 30 percent improvement in local TV ratings this season.
Michael Bidwill also hired the talented GM Steve Keim and played a role in the hiring of coach Bruce Arians, who has the Cardinals at 7-1 and leading the NFC West.
The team went 5-11 in 2012, the year before Arians became coach. The Cardinals are 17-7 since the Arians hiring and have won 14 of their last 17 regular-season games to post the NFL’s best winning percentage (.824) over that time.
Yes, ownership matters.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cardinals QB Carson Palmer credited M. Bidwill for the team’s ascendance.
“It’s easy to say it’s the head coach or the GM. It’s the owner,” Palmer said. “And you would never know it. He doesn’t want to be here when the media’s here. He’s not doing interviews left and right, but he’s picked the right people to hire and he wants to win.”
I believe Stan Kroenke wants to win.
Kroenke has been the Rams’ majority owner since the start of the 2010 season and took over at a time when the franchise would soon embark on an enormous rebuilding project. The 2010 season held promise but proved to be a fluke. And after a disastrous 2011, the Rams had to start over … again.
For his part, Kroenke has spent more than enough money on payroll in the effort to produce a winner. And when hiring a new coach before the 2012 season, Kroenke made Jeff Fisher one of the league’s highest-paid coaches.
Kroenke’s financial commitment is there. But to this point, on-field success remains elusive.
With the turnarounds we’re seeing in Arizona, Cleveland and Buffalo after a change in football leadership, the scrutiny of Fisher and GM Les Snead will only intensify.
As I wrote last week, I’d be surprised to see Kroenke change coaches after the season. Fisher has two years and $14 million left on his contract after this season.
But beyond that, it’s easy to give Fisher the benefit of the doubt. Three reasons: (1) Fisher had to reconstruct virtually the entire roster; (2) Fisher has been set back by player injuries; (3) Fisher has endured injury-related instability at quarterback in two of his three seasons; (4) Fisher has a good relationship with Kroenke.
If you want to say I’m making excuses for Fisher, I’ll cop to that plea. I realize my arguments are easy to shoot down. But the Rams have gotten better since Fisher took over, and the idea of starting over with another rebuild isn’t very appealing.
Including interims, the Rams have had six head coaches since their last winning season in 2003. Roll call: Mike Martz, Joe Vitt, Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett, Steve Spagnuolo and Fisher.
znModerator
Bernie: 5 wishes for Rams’ second halfBernie Miklasz
As the 3-5 Rams head to Arizona to begin the second half of their 2014 schedule, here’s a short list of five personnel-related things I’m hoping to see the rest of the way:
1. Is QB Austin Davis a keeper? The next eight games probably won’t be enough for the Rams to conclude that Davis warrants the starting job in 2015. That’s an awfully big decision, and it’s layered with factors that include the following: (A) the team’s desire to bring injured quarterback Sam Bradford back for the final year of his contract; (B )the Rams’ draft position and their view of the draftable quarterback prospects; (C) the opportunity to possibly acquire a veteran starting QB; (D) the identity of the people making the decision.
About that final one … I don’t think the Rams’ ownership is planning a regime change, but who the heck knows? Davis has done a lot of good things. He obviously has a lot to prove. But a fantastic finish by the first-year starter would give the Rams a lot to think about as they ponder the future. It’s premature to view Austin as the long-term answer at an important position. But it’s also silly to rule him out.
Davis isn’t Kurt Warner. But when Warner took over in 1999, no one thought that he’d become, well, Kurt Warner. The point: many quarterbacks have emerged from the longshot shadows to play very well in this league.
2. Greg Robinson, franchise-caliber left tackle: After a slow start, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft started three games at left guard before replacing the injured veteran Jake Long at left offensive tackle. Robinson was drafted as a foundation-piece OT, and now he has the chance. He’s made only one start there, and did a solid job at San Francisco last week. Now the big man gets to dig in and show us what he’s got. The raw talent is obvious. The pass-protection refinement will take some work. I’ve been disappointed by Robinson’s so-so run-blocking early on, but he has the size, strength and mobility to start mauling opponents to power the Rams’ rushing attack. If nothing else, it’s time for Robinson to show some dominance in the ground game.
3. Solve the puzzle in the secondary: the Rams have plenty of talented young players back there; the next eight games will help sort it all out. The final eight games are a big audition of sorts for a long list of defensive backs that includes E.J. Gaines, Trumaine Johnson, Janoris Jenkins (when healthy), Lamarcus Joyner, Marcus Roberson and natural safeties T.J. McDonald, Rodney McLeod and newcomer Mark Barron.
4. Clarity at wide receiver: keeping in mind that Brian Quick was lost for the season with a shoulder injury … there are so many questions. Is Kenny Britt worth keeping around for another year? Can Tavon Austin emerge as a playmaker or, is he destined to disappoint? Can Stedman Bailey secure a more prominent role in the passing game? And then there’s Chris Givens. Two years ago, he displayed genuine rookie promise. This season, he’s played only 92 snaps. Can Givens become a factor again?
5. The stampede of running backs: Coach Jeff Fisher is going with a committee approach, but there have been fluctuations in usage patterns. Zac Stacy began the season as the primary runner; now that status has seemingly shifted to Tre Mason. At least for now, anyway. Benny Cunningham seems capable of filling a more substantive role. Rookie Trey Watts flashed his skills during the preseason to make the squad as an undrafted free agent. There’s nothing wrong with a time-share at RB. But sometimes coaches go to a committee as a last resort — when none of the backs are deemed worthy of workhorse distinction. Is there a winning horse in this stable?
There are many other things to watch of course. But those are the top areas on my list.
znModeratorYeah I have no desire to see Interstellar.
znModeratorHi. Welcome aboard. I edited your post a tiny bit so it could start its own thread. (I just took out the stuff about the weirdly lost post.)
In terms of the Tavon play, we do have some pics of that play posted in another thread. Maybe you saw them?
Here—>
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/49er-game-reactions-from-off-the-net/
from off the net
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jrry32
Here’s Tavon “stepping out of bounds”:
Here’s the supposed “block in the back”:
Bates is clearly to the side of the defender.
(Can’t take credit for the pictures…they aren’t mine)
znModeratorCardinals plan to blitz Austin Davis early, often
By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.comhttp://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/10381/10381
TEMPE, Ariz. — The scouting report on St. Louis quarterback Austin Davis is fairly easy to digest.
He’s mobile, quick on his feet, but doesn’t handle the blitz very well. He even said so himself.
Davis
“Honestly, I see at times there’s good where I hang in and there’s color and there’s a little pressure, but I slide and move, and then there are other times when I (escape) too quick,” Davis said. “I’ve seen both, and I haven’t really seen a progression over the games. I’ve seen more of just hit or miss. I’m looking to become more consistent in that.”That might not happen Sunday.
It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals’ blitz has been a disruption for opposing quarterbacks. They’re completing 59.7 percent of their passes when the Cardinals bring five or more rushers, compared to 65.1 when Arizona doesn’t blitz, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Davis knows what it’s like to be rattled by a blitz. He’s completing 59.4 percent of his passes facing it and 66.7 percent against a normal rush. Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium won’t get much easier for the first-year starter.
The Cardinals are blitzing on 41.5 percent of quarterback drop backs, the fifth-highest rate in the league. They’ve been effective when blitzing on third down, intercepting four passes while allowing just one touchdown. This is one area where Davis has shined against blitzes, however, throwing for three touchdowns against one interception on third down.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week that he’s watched Davis improve throughout the season. He’s learning how to pick up different blitzes and pick up different pointers on third down and in the two-minute drill, Arians said.
“There’s a balance between saving sacks and avoiding pressure and flooding the pocket too quick,” Davis said. “That’s all something I’m trying to get better at and trying to do a better job of. Hopefully, I can continue to do that.”
It’s unlikely to happen against the Cardinals on Sunday. On tape, they’ve seen have seen how erratic Davis can be against the blitz. And Rams coach Jeff Fisher said the Cardinals’ defense is a challenge to prepare for because of its “diversity.” Arizona is known for bringing blitzes in all shapes and forms, leaving Davis to figure them out as he goes.
“I think he’s a guy that can extend plays,” safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “I think the blitz gets to him. He’ll just throw the ball up. We’ll have a chance to make a play. I think at the end of the day, though, teams are going to try to come and run the football on us, so I think that’s what the Rams are going to do.
“I don’t think they’re going to put the game in Austin Davis’
znModeratorRams offense seeking solutions
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13456/rams-offense-seeking-solutions
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In the past four weeks, the St. Louis Rams have faced three defenses in the top five in average yards per game allowed.
That stretch includes two games against the No. 2 San Francisco 49ers and one each against No. 4 Seattle and No. 5 Kansas City. Before that quartet of games, the Rams offense had been one of the league’s more pleasant surprises under the guidance of quarterback Austin Davis.
Through those first five weeks, the Rams were averaging 392.8 yards per game — 283.5 yards passing and another 109.25 yards on the ground for an overall average of 5.8 yards per play.
Austin Davis and the Rams offense has found the going tough of late after facing some of the best defenses in the league.
But the question of whether the Rams could keep that up when they moved past games against lower-ranked defenses such as Tampa Bay, Dallas and Philadelphia lingered. Not that the Rams consider any defense in the NFL a pushover.
“I don’t think any of them are crummy in this league,” Davis said. “That’s what you learn right away — every week’s a different challenge and a tough challenge.”
The past four weeks have offered a resounding answer to the question of whether the Rams could sustain their success as the defenses they face have gotten better.
In the four contests against the 49ers, Seahawks and Chiefs, the Rams’ offensive production dropped across the board. The St. Louis offense is averaging 244.2 yards per game, with the passing average dropping to 151.75 yards per game and the rushing average down to 92.5. In those games, the Rams have averaged 4.4 yards per play.
Aside from facing better defenses, Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer points to maintaining better balance and taking care of the ball as keys to getting the offense untracked.
“We’re at our best when we’re balanced, when we can get the running game going,” Schottenheimer said. “We all got to do a better job of converting third downs; that helps us. This will certainly be a challenge. It comes down to execution, us doing our job, guys making plays, taking things one play at a time. Hopefully, it’ll be a good week for us to get back on track.”
In terms of the basic defensive ranking numbers, this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals would appear to offer a chance for the Rams to get going on offense again. The Cardinals are 19th in the league in total defense (366.4 yards per game allowed) and last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (286.75).
On paper, that would seem to offer a chance for the offense to find traction, but a further inspection reveals a defense better than the numbers would indicate. Arizona is third in the NFL in rush defense and tied for second in turnover margin.
“They’re getting up and teams are just throwing it and going two-minute,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “They’re giving up plays just to protect the end zone and things like that. It’s very, very misleading.”
While Arizona doesn’t rank as highly as their NFC West brethren, it poses some problems that other teams don’t. Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has earned a reputation for providing one of the most varied and unique defensive schemes in the league.
The Cardinals are more game-plan specific than most teams defensively and have been using four-man fronts more frequently in recent weeks. After facing a 49ers defense known for sticking to what it does, Davis will be challenged more than ever by a defense that will force him to question what he sees from play to play and series to series.
“Whatever you prepare for you’ll get something different,” Schottenheimer said. “It’s one of those games we say, ‘You got to trust what you see, trust your rules.’ They come with different packages, different people. They played Dallas a bunch of four-man fronts. They played a bunch of Bear against Oakland, they do different things. Very creative. How do you mask that? You do what you do and say, ‘Hey guys, get ready to adjust on the run.’”
November 7, 2014 at 2:31 pm in reply to: Is Bruce Arians an "offensive genius" ? + Arians wired v. Washington #11383znModeratorHe’s a good solid coach. Why does he have to be a genius? Whats wrong with simply being a good coach?
Ever since that Fucker Bill Walsh popped onto the scene all coaches have to be geniuses. Why?y
Are they nuclear physicists or something? Fuck that stupid genius label.Its football,not rocket science.
Grits
Interestingly, Walsh said pretty much the same thing himself. He said to be a good coach, you have to be smart enough to get the game and dumb enough to care.
znModeratorI give Davis more credit than most of you Bradford Desciples.
Well, truth is, not everyone who is skeptical of Davis right now was convinced Bradford was the guy. And, not everyone who liked Bradford is skeptical of Davis. So I don’t think it’s that simple.
You’re a big Davis advocate–cool. Bang that drum. I like it when there are many different views.
From what I see, Davis falls off some games, and then is more steady in others. With any luck, he closes the gap on that and becomes more consistent. Why would I want that, since I personally am still not sure about Davis? Because if that happens, the Rams win more. Which to me is the one and only bottom line.
November 7, 2014 at 2:06 pm in reply to: Is Bruce Arians an "offensive genius" ? + Arians wired v. Washington #11379znModeratorznModeratorgreasedog
Like any D, Arizona wants to stop the run. But, they seem to crowd the box more often than most. They don’t JUST do it to stop the run but they come on passing downs too.
vinny1717
They blitz, blitz and blitz more. Especially in crunch time, late in the game instead of going into prevent, 3 man rush scenarios, they send the house time and time again. QB’s might not be getting sacked but they have very little time to throw the ball
znModeratorGordon: Assessing the Rams after 8 games
By Jeff Gordon
The Rams knew their season could take an ugly turn in the middle of their grueling schedule.
That possibility became far more likely when quarterback Sam Bradford suffered another season-ending knee injury. Then came the loss of defensive end Chris Long (foot) for much of the season and left tackle Jake Long (knee) and Brian Quick (arm) for the rest of the campaign.
The hard road to playoff contention became nearly impossible, despite big victories over NFC West powers Seattle and San Francisco.
Here is a player-by-player look at the key Rams to this halfway point. Click on the links for updated STLtoday.com profiles on each:
OFFENSE
Austin Davis, QB: Fellow Southern Miss product Brett Favre was ready to anoint him as the Next One a few weeks back. Then Davis had to face some elite defenses and major road field disadvantages. Reality set in. But Davis is still exceeding expectations as an emergency fill-in. Never forget that he was the No. 4 guy in training camp.
Zac Stacy, RB: He appears to be on the Daryl Richardson career path. He followed a promising rookie season with a disappearance early in Year 2. Is a change of address next?
Tre Mason, RB: He started on the Isaiah Pead career path with an underwhelming first training camp. But then he veered off that road to nowhere and into the starting lineup. His speed gives this offense a much-needed weapon.
Benny Cunningham, RB: His ability to pick up blitzes makes him unique among Rams RBs. He is a good receiver out of the backfield, too, and he runs with leverage between the tackles.
Trey Watts, RB: Not only did he make a mark on special teams, he flashed terrific running instincts while earning some reps in the offense. It appears he has a future in this league.
Brian Quick, WR: He arrived as an outstanding receiving prospect . . . and then he suffered a season-ending arm injury. But his breakthrough remains one of the season highlights.
Kenny Britt, WR: He starred in training camp as Bradford’s go-to guy. Now he is Davis’ primary target in the wake of Quick’s demise. He is the proven receiving talent this team lacked.
Tavon Austin, WR: He almost had a TD punt return at San Francisco, but for a dubious penalty call on the Rams and an inexplicable mid-return whistle from the officials. But mostly Austin has been a massive disappointment. An eighth-overall pick needs to make a difference and Austin has been Just A Guy this season.
Stedman Bailey, WR: He looked great in training camp before shutting down with his PED suspension. He still hasn’t worked his way into a prominent offensive role, even with Quick out. At least he had one memorable TD punt return on a gimmick play.
Chris Givens, WR: He seemed headed for oblivion, then Austin Pettis got clipped instead. But like Tavon Austin, he remains a tremendous disappointment. He has so much speed but so little production.
Jared Cook, TE: He became a big part of the offenses early on, making four or more catches in each of the first five games. He had a few memorable drops and one unfortunate QB shove along the way, but he was becoming an impact player. Then the passing game sputtered the last few weeks.
Lance Kendricks, TE: He, too, was a primary weapon earlier this season as Davis worked his TEs effectively off play-action fakes. The Rams need to reestablish that part of their offense.
Cory Harkey, TE: He can block. He can catch passes coming out of the backfield. He can fight through severe bumps and bruises.
Jake Long, LT: He mostly disappointed before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The Rams need to turn his page and move on.
Greg Robinson, LT: He was just getting the hang of playing guard at this level when Long’s injury forced him to the edge. He is still learning to deal with stunts, twists and blitzes — but he is also tossing some D-linemen around, showing why he was the second overall pick.
Rodger Saffold, LG: He started on the left side, then switched to right, then switched back the left. Injuries will always be an issue for him, but he has managed to play most of the snaps so far.
Scott Wells, C: He is trying to fight though another season with his bionic arm. He suffered some snap mishaps earlier this season and he had a hand in some offensive line breakdowns.
Davin Joseph, RG: He wasn’t great as a starter earlier this season, but Long’s injury set off a chain reaction that got him back in the starting lineup.
Joe Barksdale, RT: He has been the steadiest lineman of the bunch. The Rams ought to lock him up with a new deal sooner rather than later.
DEFENSE
Robert Quinn, DE: After a slow start, he started racking up the sacks and forcing fumbles during his last three games. There is plenty of time for him to mount another Pro Bowl-caliber campaign.
Chris Long, DE: He will end up missing the bulk of this season with a foot injury. With his teammates elevating their play, there will be no need to rush him back before he is full speed.
William Hayes, DE: He stepped up nicely after Long went down, earning 18 QB pressures in the first eight games. He just had two sacks at San Francisco and he has 46 tackles overall.
Eugene Sims, DE: He has 13 QB pressures this season, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
Ethan Westbrooks, DE/DT: He had a great training camp to beat out Michael Sam, but a hand injury helped derail his rookie season.
Aaron Donald, DT: He is one of the NFL’s top rookies. He has three sacks this season and 11 tackles for loss. Who says rookie DTs can’t make an impact in this game?
Michael Brockers, DT: He came to life at San Francisco, earning five tackles, a sack and a QB pressure. Where was that disruptive effort all season?
Kendall Langford, DT: He slid to the back of the interior line rotation earlier this season. That demotion seemed to perk him up.
Alex Carrington: He is what he is, a solid depth guy.
Alec Ogletree, OLB: He showed great promise as a rookie, but he remained undisciplined in Year 2. He can make big plays, but his blown assignments tend to offset them.
James Laurinaitis, MLB: A high ankle sprain shelved him in training camp and he remained a step behind in several games this season.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar, OLB: He has had some big hits and big misses during a largely disappointing first half for this defense.
Janoris Jenkins, CB: Once again he has made some big mistakes and very few big plays out on his island. He is terrific in run support but spotty in coverage. Will he ever figure it out?
Lamarcus Joyner, CB: He delivered on his promise, adding toughness in run support as the nickel back. He is a sure tackler on short passes and a real blitzing threat. His size puts him at a disadvantage in coverage, but the pluses outweigh the minuses.
E.J. Gaines, CB: He has been one of the team’s most pleasant surprises. Circumstances forced him into a starting role as a rookie and he hasn’t flinched. He tackles well and tends to be around the ball.
Trumaine Johnson, CB: He is just coming back from a knee injury, so it’s hard to criticize him for some late struggles at San Francisco.
Marcus Roberson, CB: For a prospect off the street he has done just fine. He is solid in coverage when he remembers to stick with his man. Against the 49ers, he forgot.
T. J. McDonald, S: He has had a 17-tackle game this season and a game where he blocked a punt and a field goal. He is developing into a very nice strong safety.
Rodney McLeod, S: He has started 19 straight games and been a mostly reliable tackler. He has improved in coverage, but he still has a ways to go.
Mark Barron, S: He is a heavy hitter who arrived in a midseason trade with Tampa Bay. But where will he fit in the defense? The Rams need a cover safety, not another hitter.
Cody Davis, S: He is another big hitter who suffered a concussion delivering one of his big blows.
Maurice Alexander, S: He has been on and off of the game day roster as a special teamer. He is one more potential hitter for this D.
znModeratorBlitz cornerstone for effective, successful Cardinals’ defense
November, 1, 2014
TEMPE, Ariz. — When Tony Jefferson heard how often the Arizona Cardinals have blitzed since the start of 2013, the safety started to laugh.
He couldn’t believe how high the number was. Arizona has blitzed offenses on 47.5 percent of its dropbacks since Todd Bowles took over the defense last season.
Bowles doesn’t think he’s calling for blitzes at that high of a rate, but when compared to other defenses, the stats don’t lie: Arizona is blitzing at the fourth-highest rate this season, sending five or more pass-rushers on 41.8 percent of dropbacks, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
And if there’s one thing the Dallas Cowboys don’t want to see Sunday, it’s the blitz.
They were blitzed 24 times in a loss to the Washington Redskins, and quarterback Tony Romo was blitzed on 61.5 percent of his dropbacks which led to five sacks according to ESPN Stats & Information.
As Arizona watched Washington continue to exploit the Cowboys on Monday night, the Cardinals winced, however. Without realizing it, the Redskins gave the Cowboys a run-through for what 60 minutes against the Cardinals would be like.
“We were one week late,” linebacker Larry Foote said. “I expect them to be better than what they were Monday night.”
But it’s not like teams don’t know what’s coming against the Cardinals. Five of their seven opponents this season have faced their most blitzes against the Cardinals, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Expect that to continue Sunday against Dallas.
“Just seeing that, I just know that we got to be on point with all our blitzes,” rookie defensive end Kareem Martin said. “I feel like we can do the same thing if we’re effective with ours.”
Even when teams know what’s coming, the Cardinals are still effective, leading the NFL with five interceptions on blitzes. They’re one of three teams in the league with a negative touchdown-to-interception differential when blitzing.
The blitz has become part of Arizona’s defensive fabric. It’s come to define this team, which has battled injuries all season yet has still been able to blitz consistently.
“Just everybody doing their job,” rookie defensive end Kareem Martin said. “That’s the only way the blitz is going to work. Every guy, however many, five-man, six-man blitz, however many guys are in it, as long as every guy is doing their job, that’s the only way it’s going to work.
“As soon as one guy hops out of his gaps and cuts another guy off, it actually becomes the offense’s advantage because they kinda muddy everything up and gives the quarterback a little more time. But when we get to that quarterback and our blitzes are on point, he’s getting rid of that thing fast or we have a lot of pressure on him. That’s the biggest thing.”
With how often the Cards blitz, masking them has become an important part of their success. Opposing quarterbacks struggle slightly against the blitz, completing 60.3 percent of the passes against the Cardinals’ blitz compared to 63.8 percent without facing a blitz. Even though Arizona has the second-fewest sacks in the NFL with seven, four of them have come when they’ve blitzed.
“It kinda confuses,” Jefferson said. “We have so many different blitzes, so I think a lot of guys think we’re doing one thing when were actually doing another.”
But, linebacker Kevin Minter said, every game features different blitzes, which has forced teams to spend more time preparing for the Cardinals’ blitz than they would against most other teams.
“Their focus is on us blitzing,” Jefferson said. “That’s kinda their game plan. They know we’re going to blitz and it makes it hard on them because they’re trying to think about where we’re going to come from.
“A lot of times we come up the middle and the outside so it’s hard for them to realize where we’re coming from.”
And sometimes the Cardinals don’t hide it. They’re just coming.
On the Eagles’ final drive last weekend, when they needed to score a touchdown to win, Bowles called for blitzes on six of Nick Foles’ seven dropbacks. He ended up completing just 1 of 6 passes facing a blitz. Against Philadelphia and San Diego, Arizona blitzed on the final play of the game.
Arizona is allowing the second-lowest QBR in the fourth quarter (21.8) and all five of its interceptions while blitzing have come in the fourth quarter. That’s a large part of why the Cardinals’ plus-9 turnover margin is the second-highest in the NFL.
“It keeps you honest,” Minter said. “You never really know what we’re in. You don’t know who’s coming.”
znModeratorJT: Can Rams Challenge Cardinals? –Video
http://www.rams-news.com/jt-can-rams-challenge-cardinals-video/
znModeratorznModerator
Pressure to Win in Arizona Falls on Davis’ ShouldersBy D’Marco Farr
http://www.101sports.com/2014/11/06/pressure-win-arizona-falls-davis-shoulders/
For the Rams, the challenge of facing the team with the best record in the NFL draws near. Let’s hope quarterback Austin Davis can rise to the occasion.
Overcoming a crisis of confidence following a shaky performance against the Kansas City Chiefs a week prior, Davis’ steady approach in San Francisco transformed a would-be beleaguered offense into one that recovered from early mistakes. Bad offensive teams do bad things at the most inopportune times, and the Southern Mississippi product’s pair of second-quarter picks didn’t exactly turn heads in a positive sense. Down the stretch, though, Davis and the Rams managed to avoid the big mistake to build and then preserve a 13-10 victory in Santa Clara.
It was an important step in the on-field maturation process of No. 9, and a necessary one in light of the opponent ahead. The 7-1 Arizona Cardinals’ star cornerbacks, Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie, command a lot of attention and split the field in half. Teams don’t have the luxury of picking an easier side to which to throw the ball. They are both great players, very athletic and very talented. We’re talking about a rare combination, indeed.
Peterson and Cromartie dictate the Cards’ defensive philosophy. Coordinator Todd Bowles knows that he can bring pressure and play a lot of man-to-man and single-high. They dare you to get the ball out on time and beat them one-on-one. Frankly, I don’t anticipate any matchups this week, especially on the outside, that will be in the Rams’ favor.
Up front, Arizona is more physical and big than skillful. Starting defensive linemen Calais Campbell, Dan Williams and Tommy Kelly, plus rotational players like Frostee Rucker and Ed Stinson, have combined to register three sacks this season. Actually, no one on the Cardinals’ active roster, save for fourth-year linebacker Sam Acho and second-year man Alex Okafor, enjoys a league-wide reputation as a gifted pass-rusher. This is a D that prefers for the opposition to run the football against them. They’re much better at stopping the run than they are at individually rushing the passer.
The challenge for Davis will be finding a rhythm and not springing leaks over the course of a game, stringing together consecutive successful snaps and trusting the ability of the guys around him to make plays. For receivers, route combinations on both sides must be executed with precision to maximize opportunities. Staying smooth and in-sync should keep the Rams’ offensive line from getting worn down in the second half.
Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold, Scott Wells, Joe Barksdale and the rest of the crew must hold up for all four quarters. Staying committed to running the football will help the timing in the passing game.
Davis has to play with confidence and at a high level this week if the offense is going to be able to score enough points to win on the road. Simply put, he has to put the team in position to win. And, if he can successfully shoulder the load in the desert, the next few weeks suddenly become very interesting.
znModerator
Injured Rams return to Thursday’s practiceBy Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13443/injured-rams-return-to-thursdays-practice
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Much like last week, the St. Louis Rams are getting healthier as the week goes on.
After seven players sat out Wednesday’s practice with various ailments, only two did not participate in Thursday’s workout. Cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (knee) and Marcus Roberson (ankle) were the two non-participants. The Rams remain hopeful that Jenkins will be able to do something this week but Roberson is probably unlikely given that he was spotted wearing a walking boot on Wednesday.
Otherwise, safety Rodney McLeod (knee), cornerback E.J. Gaines (knee), linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe) and defensive end William Hayes (fibula) all returned to practice full time. Tight end Cory Harkey, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury was upgraded to a limited participant.
The only new addition to the report was linebacker Daren Bates, who was limited with a groin injury.
Here’s the full breakdown for Thursday:
Did not participate: Cornerback Janoris Jenkins (knee), cornerback Marcus Roberson (ankle).
Limited participation: Tight end Cory Harkey (knee), safety Cody Davis (concussion), linebacker Daren Bates (groin).
Full participation: Safety Rodney McLeod (knee), cornerback E.J. Gaines (knee), linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe), defensive end William Hayes (fibula).
znModeratorMhandshear.
In 4 starts (3 at LG/1 at LT,) Greg Robinson has allowed a combined 5 QB sacks, hit and hurries. For comparison, Jake Matthews has allowed a combined 26 sacks, hits and hurries in 6.5 games, and Eric Fisher (the #1 overal pick a year ago) allowed 47 sacks, hit and hurries in 15 games at RT a year ago. It’s a small sample size for Robinson, but he is comparing very well to other highly drafted OTs to this point.
We discuss that, the Rams wacky win in SF and much, much more in this week’s Rams Addiction Podcast. Listen here:
znModeratorThis by the way is where I think your long standing resistance to the idea that a QB can lift a team runs aground. Obviously, a QB can only do so much. But a really sharp QB can make an OL look really good, while a confused one can make it look like crap. QBs matter.
Yeah fair enough.
znModeratorProtect Davis and give him time and it’s a different Rams offense.
I actually think it’s the other way around. Davis doesn’t yet know how to counter the blitz. A qb is supposed to see that stuff pre-snap and adjust accordingly. Audible if there’s time, throw to a hot read and so on. If that weren’t true, then, blitzes would always work and no offense would ever burn the blitz and all qbs would be under duress every play. But actually offenses can make defenses stop blitzing by making the blitz costly. (There have certainly been several games this year where opposing offenses ate up the Rams defense when it blitzed.) All that depends on the qb however, and Davis does not have that yet, it seems. He also fails to see players downfield when he abandons the pocket, or mis-times his throws sometimes when he abandons the pocket. So I don’t think the issue is the line as much as the qb. In fact I think Davis himself is well aware of this. He talked about it after the Vikes game, that the sacks were on him not the OL, because he wasn’t getting into a rhythm and timing throws from the pocket. You see games where he is aware of that, and you see games where he forgets that.
znModeratorWhat do the old-timers say, three things can happen when you pass and two of them are bad?
I thought it better to make S.F. use their last timeout but I don’t think it mattered in the end.–Mike
One thing can happen when you chart up a beautiful mis-direction touchdown play, execute it well and therefore score. And it’s 100% good.
I believe in these coaches and how they draw up surprises like that. In fact, given the way the play got defended, it looks to me like any run would have been stopped for a loss.
Anyway, we just differ on that, on principle. I prefer what they do with the drawn-up, situational big plays. If nothing else in the future when running in short yardage situations, defenses will have to think “the Rams like to go play action here to a blocker.” (This alone accounts for every big play Harkey has ever had.) Presumably, that should put a little caution or hesitation into the defense. It’s win/win.
I just wish this time that Mr. Austin “this game I put the ish in skitterish” Davis had exee-um-kute-ehd it.
I think we will always differ on this kind of thing. It’s fun to discuss though.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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aeneas1
vegas has deemed the cards 7 point home favorites vs the rams this weekend. last weekend vegas deemed the niners 10.5 home favorites vs the rams. and a few weeks ago seattle was tabbed 7 point favorites @ the rams. in fact this weekend will mark the 8th straight time the rams have been named gameday dogs, ever since opening day when the rams were 3.5 home favorites vs the vikes.
anyway the cards haven’t exactly manhandled opponents this season despite their 7-1 record, games have been close after 3 quarters. in fact the cards have trailed after 3 quarters in half the games they’ve played, and have led by a td or more just once after 3 quarters, against the hapless raiders.
however the 4th quarter has been a different story for the cards, that’s when they’ve shined. minus their only loss to the broncos the cards have outscored every opponent they’ve faced in the 4th quarter, to the tune of 70-17, while blanking half of them. all told, arizona’s 4th quarter point differential of +36 is the league’s second best, behind the 5-3 chiefs who are at +37. this might not bode too well for the rams who rank 26th in 4th quarter score margin with a -19 point differential.
November 5, 2014 at 10:06 pm in reply to: Rams lead NFC West in Sacks & other interesting stat things #11303znModeratorRams run defense, last x games.
Phil 33 – 145
SF 30 – 89
Seattle 29 – 171
KC 33 – 140
SF 21 – 80ttl 146 – 625
4.28 YPC: 21st in the league…so, no longer 26th in the league
125 yards per game: 25th in the league…so, no longer 29th in the league
znModeratorFor a young defense to do as much as they do, you don’t see it very often. If you do see it, typically you see blown coverages and guys running wide open.
It’s funny. He is describing the Rams defense while denying he is. Yes it is young, yes it does a lot, and yes you see blown coverages and guys running wide open…which he kind of acted like you DON’T see when we know you do.
It’s interesting what he nails down here. Young defense doing a lot, usually you don’t see that, usually when you see that they make big mistakes.
Exactly… Mr. Bruce “The Coy” Arians.
znModeratorAnd yet there are people who think Austin Davis has reached his ceiling. That he cannot improve.
That’s because, TD, different people look at this differently, and therefore compare their different views.
Why is it possible to imagine that he will not improve? Because the VAST majority of qbs drafted after round 3 don’t…no matter how well they started out. That’s just the nature of the league. I can’t do the numbers on UDFAs, but I just did the numbers on qbs drafted after round 3 from 2003-2012, and of all the qbs taken, only 4% ever even ended up becoming consistent journeymen types (it’s Orton, Cassel, and Fitzpatrick). Does the occassional Warner or Bulger or Trent Green come along? Sure, but it’s rare. Like..VERY rare.
And it’s not just that realistic odds are against him. I see him as declining in how he plays, so that any statistical averages mashing the earlier games in with the recent games strike me as hiding more than they reveal. I think AVERAGE season numbers on him disguise the fact that RECENT numbers on him are very bad.
And most importantly, my skepticism is based on what I see in his play. He has me very much doubting him. There are a set of “either he has it or he doesn’t” characteristics I look for in qbs, and he is starting to look like he has a list of “doesn’t”s.
And. You approach the whole thing differently. You see and count different things. Cool.
So we create neutral zones like this where different opinions are welcome and the fact that people see it entirely differently is just part of good discussion.
znModeratori think he’s got the physical skills. i think at this point it’s just learning the position. if he can continue to grow into the position he’ll be fine. if not then rams are looking for a new qb.
I try to be as objective as I can in my first post in this thread.
BUt this is a complicated issue and I have mixed feelings.
Personally, I don’t like the idea of this season becoming the “see if Davis can play project.”
I am very “win now.” They have the future in which to figure out the future. Or to put that more narrowly, they have the off-season to figure out the next season.
If it were me and he falters again, I would just start Hill. I wouldn;t even hesitate.
From what I saw of Hill in this offense, he can play, and his strengths as a qb are pretty much the opposite of Davis’s weaknesses.
It is fair and realistic, I think, to ask if AD can rebound.
But. My “win now” attitude also has me wary of that. So he doesn’t have too long to prove he can, in my book.
znModeratorI think this gets down to confidence again.
Davis made a couple of huge mistakes in the SF game, but the Rams didn’t fold this time like they did with huge mistakes by other players against other teams. That’s IMO because the team believes it’s always “in it” with a West opponent.
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